00:44 - ApothecaryI never saw the appeal of Pallbearer. Ok music, but not worth the enormous praise they've been getting by some. Didn't ever impress me much on album and when I saw them live with Deafheaven I wasn't really won over either

There are always going to be debates about whether In Flames have sold out or not. People are always going to slate the newer material whilst praising the older. Personally, I enjoy all their discography, I see their change as neither good nor bad, but just as a simple evolution. In the late 90s and early 2000s In Flames were probably my favourite band. Today, although I still enjoy listening to them from time to time, they have somewhat lost some of their appeal. However, one album sticks out and never ceases to amaze me, that one is Reroute To Remain.

I know many people do not really like this album as they see it as the bands complete change from their earlier sound. I, however, believe the band peaked with this album. With Lunar Strain, Whoracle and Jester Race, the band produced aggressive fast paced music that blended heavy rhythms with majestic melodic harmonies. With Colony and Clayman, the band started to approach their music in a whole new way. Their songs took on more conventional structures and the melodies slowly eliminated some of their aggression. Whereas some see this as a sign of the band going more mainstream, I look at it as being the result of harmony within the band, since Colony, the band has kept the same members.

Reroute To Remain is packed with awesome and catchy melodies that allows the listener to sing along after just one listen. The songs are all pretty much strong and blend together perfectly to create an overall harmonized piece of work. Another strong point in the album is the presence of "Dawn Of A New Day" and "Metaphor". In the past, In Flames had flirted with folk elements but usually kept them limited to short instrumental songs. Here, these two songs offer decent folk sounds with vocals on top. "Dawn Of A New Day" is just sublime and gives me shivers every time I listen to it.

Overall, we have an album that divides the opinion. But like lots of great works, sometimes this is a sign of quality. And, in my opinion, Reroute To Remain is definitely that. Daniel Bergstrand's production is awesome and creates the perfect atmosphere. A true classic of modern times.

This is it. The infamous album. The album where In Flames definitely left the underground and joined the mainstream. The sound could be heard on the "Cloud Connected" single released prior to this album (which is strange because this is one of the least interesting tracks on the album) and caused quite a stir in the metal press. Some hailed the new sound, some hated it, but the fact (as seen from this time distance) is that the whole thing was exaggerated and the change isn't THAT drastic. It is just the next step in the speeding evolution of their music. Listen to any track from "Clayman" before these ones to see what I'm talking about.

But i would give a 10 to this review, nice way to describe the album going into In Flames history.

I thought that was the best way to approach it. Each album prior to Reroute to Remain is, imo, an original piece of material. The albums after Reroute to Remain are more or less the fruit of that album and are less distinctive in sound than the previous works.

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"Seasons don't fear the reaper. Nor do the wind, the sun and the rain (we can be like they are)."

Haddon kickin ass in reviews. I prefer the ''Show no Mercy'' althou. =X

Its a good album (the mood change in System is great) but I prefer Soundtrack to your escape.

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----member of the true crusade against old school heavy metal, early 80s thrash, NWOBHM, traditional doom, first and second wave black metal, old school death metal, US power metal, 70s prog rock and atmospheric doomsludgestoner. o/

Haddon kickin ass in reviews. I prefer the ''Show no Mercy'' althou. =X

Its a good album (the mood change in System is great) but I prefer Soundtrack to your escape.

Soundtrack to Your Escape is a very good album but I find, although it doesn't really have any weak songs, that they don't blend as well as on Reroute to Remain. I used to review movies for my own personal website before, I even had a partnership with Warner Bros., ah the good old days, free DVD's, I'm gonna start doing a few reviews for here, to get myself back on track with the writing, I'm a bit rusty at the moment.

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"Seasons don't fear the reaper. Nor do the wind, the sun and the rain (we can be like they are)."

Really good reveiw!!! I think this album rocks! In flames is my favorite band beacuse they always make something new and different with each album...even the new ablum is quite ok, from my perspective. Still A sense of purpouse is bad compared with this splendid ablum!!!

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LachyAccount deleted

18.11.2009 - 07:34

LachyAccount deleted

This is my favorite in flames album, i dont think they sold out they just wanted to try something new.i liked the new album a sense of purpose but the 2 before that were average. Still great review, every track on this album is killer

Hehe, that's a nice review, which sums up my opinion about this album quite well. While I always enjoyed RTR, with time I've come to realize that it is actually my favourite In Flames album, and the only one I regularly go back to.

Oh, it's funny you mention the two quiet songs as strong points when most people see them as the weakest parts of the album. Metaphor is one of my favourite In Flames songs.

I honestly do think the soft songs are a strong point. Some people are against diversity, I believe that if that diversity is well done, what's the problem? Metaphor and Dawn of a New Day are beautiful pieces of work.

@ Introspekrieg: What's wrong with them using a previous piece of material and adjusting, many bands do so. And to top it the melodies between the two are vaguely similar.

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"Seasons don't fear the reaper. Nor do the wind, the sun and the rain (we can be like they are)."

@ Introspekrieg: What's wrong with them using a previous piece of material and adjusting, many bands do so. And to top it the melodies between the two are vaguely similar.

There's nothing wrong with it I guess.. Dream Theater has a habit of doing it more than anyone. I remember hating this album when it first came out, but I went back and listened to it and I definitely see what you are saying in the review. Maybe a few years ago my expectations for that old In Flames sound were stronger than today... 7/10